Trying out 5w-30 engine oil

[braaadyyota]

5w-30 is good down to like -25 F. Unless you’re up in Alaska or something, you would be better off with 5w-30.

In central MN it can get to -25F or even as low as -35F or colder in some parts. Air temp, not with windchill. I don't know all that much about different oil in different temps but would it be recommended to stick with 0W20? It can also get into the 90s here in the summer.

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[lauren01]

Totally unrelated to the T24 engine, but I've been running 5w30 in our 0w20 spec'd 2ZR powered Corolla since the 1000 mile mark. It has nearly 80k on it now. Runs flawlessly.

I wouldn't hesitate to run 5w30 in my Tacoma. But I have a decent sized stash of 0w20 at the moment. I'm also waiting on Lake Speed's conclusions with his Tacoma. If there's any measurable benefit, I'm in.

I ran 5w30 in my 2GR 3rd gen.

Same here—Lake will tell all.

 

[Sagebrush]

"More than twice as likely to shear out of grade vs. 0w-20." Have at it.

 

[Ace-ington]

I worked in the Engine plant at Honda Canada Manufacturing building the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated Civic engine from 2011 to 2024(transfered to stamping dept now) and I can tell you putting thicker oil in you engine can actually cause more wear issues, i have always ran the recommended oil and never had problems (0w20 in my 2012 Si) i will say going to a 5w30 probably isnt gonna cause any big long term issues but the oil valleys in the engine are very small and thicker oil has a harder time going through them. Your journal bearings between your connecting rod and crank shaft have a tolerance of Microns (tollerance have tightened up over time) so if the oil is too thick it will not lubricate that area very well which could cause catastrophic issues. I don't know about the new 2.4 turbo but any engines with Variable valve timing thicker oil is not good for it, that said 5w30 probably won't do very much harm i just wouldnt go to anything thicker. I have never heard of anyone's warranty being void for using different oil. My 2 cents

 

[gmalkmus]

"More than twice as likely to shear out of grade vs. 0w-20." Have at it.

Wonder why Toyota specs 5w-30 in Mexico then?

 

[395North]

"More than twice as likely to shear out of grade vs. 0w-20." Have at it.

3K oil changes will render that moot.

 

[maxx075]

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

"More than twice as likely to shear out of grade vs. 0w-20." Have at it.

As a general rule, the smaller the difference between the 2 numbers, the more shear stable an oil is. So generally speaking, 0w20 is more stable.

But shear isn't the only thing that can cause an oil to fall out of grade. If fuel dilution is a problem, 5w30 will typically have a better chance of staying in grade vs 0w20

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

Wonder why Toyota specs 5w-30 in Mexico then?

No CAFE

 

[Sagebrush]

So generally speaking, 0w20 is more stable.

Which reinforces Lake's take on this idea of some shade-tree mechanic's theory that thicker oil is better.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

Which reinforces Lake's take on this idea of some shade-tree mechanic's theory that thicker oil is better.

Stable just means it's a little less likey to fall out of the 20 grade from shear. That doesn't necessarily mean 20 is enough if you are someone who idles and/or short trips often, especially in cold weather. Fuel dilution will drop a 20 out of grade quicker than a 30. And even if a 30 does drop out of grade, it still has more headroom before it falls below a 20 grade.

 

[Sagebrush]

Stable just means it's a little less likey to fall out of the 20 grade from shear.

I'm not going to argue against your point.

Although I find some of his content hard to watch, Lake Speed Jr. knows way more about oil than I'll ever need to know or want to know, and he suggests not doing this.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

I'm not going to argue against your point.

Although I find some of his content hard to watch, Lake Speed Jr. knows way more about oil than I'll ever need to know or want to know, and he suggests not doing this.

Lake owns a Tacoma and I'm watching closely what he finds.

 

[24tacoman]

Oh boy, I can’t wait for another 20 page oil thread… however

There is a measurable advantage in wear characteristics using 5w30 compared to 0w20, at least for summer driving. I did two used oil analyses on 0w20 and 5w30. Both were taken at the same mileage, with the same brand of oil, under the same driving conditions and season. The 5w30 showed less wear metals and contaminants than the 0w20. See my other post about this for the data.

Anecdotally, the engine idles, runs, and operates so much smoother on 5w30. It is truly a noticeable difference compared to 0w20, especially on a hot summer day. Oil pressure remains the same thanks to the variable displacement oil pump too.

This is all the evidence I need that 0w20 is solely specced for CAFE emissions regulations and not for optimal engine wear characteristics. 5w30 is specced for the same T24A-FTS in parts of Europe, Russia, and Mexico.

Since I live in Northern Canada, I will be running 0w20 from October-May, as it gets down to -40C very regularly here during that period and cold starts produce the most wear on engines than anything else. 0w30 is a good alternative but is has less shear stability than 0w20 or 5w30.

Do your own research and UOA’s to make the decision for your own truck, but running 5w30 for the T24A seems to be the logical data-driven choice for me and my truck.

 

[SKYRNCHEXP]

Wonder why Toyota specs 5w-30 in Mexico then?

Does that documentation really exist? I searched as much as i could before i switched and i couldent find any documentation from toyota stating that 5-30 is ok in mexico sold NA tacomas, or SA sold tacomas.

Does anyone actually have a manual from any of these other market tacomas, thats shows 5w-30 as an approved viscosity?

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